Herring Gull (Gråtrut)

Characteristics:
The Herring Gull is a large gull species (length 55–65 cm) with a light grey back, white body, and black-and-white wing tips.
It has a strong yellow bill with a red spot on the lower mandible, and pale pink legs.
Juveniles are grey-brown and develop their adult-like plumage after about 3–4 months.
It can be recognised by its pale appearance, long, narrow wings, and light grey back – darker than the Common Gull’s, but lighter than the Great Black-backed Gull’s.

Habitat:
The Herring Gull is found along all Swedish coasts, and also around large inland lakes and cities.
It breeds on islands, cliffs, rooftops, and harbours, often in colonies together with other gulls.

Behaviour:
Highly adaptable and opportunistic, the Herring Gull feeds as a hunter, scavenger, and fisher.
It is commonly seen at harbours, dumps, fields, and shorelines.
During the breeding season, it is noisy, alert, and defends its chicks aggressively.

Diet:
An omnivorous species that eats fish, crustaceans, eggs, small animals, carrion, and waste.
It often follows fishing boats or picks up scraps and fish offal in harbours, and may steal food from other birds.

Reproduction:
Breeding takes place in May–June. Both parents build a nest of grass, seaweed, and twigs on the ground or on rooftops.
The female lays 2–3 eggs, incubated for about 27–30 days.
The chicks fledge after 6–7 weeks and develop adult-like plumage after 3–4 months.

Migration:
The Herring Gull is partially migratory. Many remain year-round in southern Sweden, while northern populations migrate to the North Sea, British Isles, or Western Europe during winter.

Distribution:
The species occurs throughout Europe, Russia, and North America.
In Sweden, it is very common and one of the most widespread gull species.

Hunting:
The Herring Gull is a game species in Sweden according to the Hunting Ordinance (Bilaga 1).
Hunting season: 1 August – 28 (or 29) February, though dates may vary by county.
Hunting usually takes place along coasts, harbours, waste areas, or fishing grounds, and sometimes as protective hunting.

Firearm class (Sweden):
The species may be hunted with:

• Shotgun, typically using pellet size no. 3–5, or
• Rifle class 4 (permitted for gulls and small game).

Think for the hunting exam:

• Large light-grey gull with white underside, pink legs, and yellow bill with red spot.
• Common along coasts, lakes, and urban areas.
• Eats fish, eggs, small animals, and carrion.
• Colonial breeder on islands, cliffs, and rooftops.
• Chicks gain adult plumage after 3–4 months.
• Game species – hunted with shotgun or rifle class 4.
• Important scavenger species in the ecosystem.